How to eliminate DiscoveryHandler adware?
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What kind of application is DiscoveryHandler?
DiscoveryHandler is designed to display annoying advertisements and promote a fake search engine. It has the qualities of both advertising-supported software and a browser hijacker. Users download and install apps like DiscoveryHandler unknowingly. For this reason, they fall into the category of potentially unwanted applications (PUAs).
DiscoveryHandler adware in detail
DiscoveryHandler displays advertisements (for example, pop-ups, banners, coupons). Its ads can promote websites designed to trick users into downloading and installing PUAs, providing sensitive information. Those ads could also be capable of downloading and installing dubious programs.
Moreover, DiscoveryHandler changes the default search engine, homepage, and new tab page to a fake search engine. It hijacks a web browser by changing its settings. Fake search engines cannot be trusted - their search results can be used to promote shady pages. Also, they can open untrustworthy pages.
| Name | Ads by DiscoveryHandler |
| Threat Type | Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus |
| Detection Names | Avast (MacOS:Adload-AG [Adw]), Combo Cleaner (Gen:Variant.Adware.MAC.AdLoad.13), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of OSX/Adware.Synataeb.G), Kaspersky (Not-a-virus:HEUR:AdWare.OSX.Adload.h), Full List (VirusTotal) |
| Additional Information | This application belongs to Adload malware family. |
| Symptoms | Your Mac becomes slower than normal, you see unwanted pop-up ads, you are redirected to dubious websites. |
| Distribution methods | Deceptive pop-up ads, free software installers (bundling), fake Flash Player installers, torrent file downloads. |
| Damage | Internet browser tracking (potential privacy issues), display of unwanted ads, redirects to dubious websites, loss of private information. |
| Malware Removal (Mac) | To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your Mac with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. |
DiscoveryHandler adware in general
DiscoveryHandler is an untrustworthy application capable of serving unwanted ads and changing web browser's settings. It is similar to OfficialDesign, ChangingSystem, MultiProject, and plenty of other apps. Most users install them unintentionally.
How did DiscoveryHandler install on my computer?
Users download and install adware through downloaders and installers for other programs, deceptive advertisements, fake installers. Downloaders and installers used to distribute adware usually have "Custom", "Advanced", or other settings. Users allow for adware to be installed when they do not use those settings to deselect bundled apps.
Advertisements can download or install unwanted software if they are designed to execute certain scripts and users click on them. Fake installers get downloaded from untrustworthy pages using scare tactics or other methods to trick users into downloading those installers.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
Avoid using unofficial pages or other unreliable sources for downloading software (or files). Use official pages and direct links for that. Also, avoid clicking on ads that appear on dubious pages. Check downloaders and installers for optional downloads or installations and deselect them before downloading or installing software.
If your computer is already infected with DiscoveryHandler, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.
Pop-up that appears after the installation of DiscoveryHandler adware:
DiscoveryHandler's Contents folder:
Instant automatic Mac malware removal:
Manual threat removal might be a lengthy and complicated process that requires advanced IT skills. Combo Cleaner is a professional automatic malware removal tool that is recommended to get rid of Mac malware. Download it by clicking the button below:
▼ DOWNLOAD Combo Cleaner for Mac
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Quick menu:
- What is DiscoveryHandler?
- STEP 1. Remove DiscoveryHandler related files and folders from OSX.
- STEP 2. Remove DiscoveryHandler ads from Safari.
- STEP 3. Remove DiscoveryHandler adware from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove DiscoveryHandler ads from Mozilla Firefox.
Video showing how to remove DiscoveryHandler adware using Combo Cleaner:
DiscoveryHandler adware removal:
Remove DiscoveryHandler-related potentially unwanted applications from your "Applications" folder:
Click the Finder icon. In the Finder window, select "Applications". In the applications folder, look for "MPlayerX", "NicePlayer", or other suspicious applications and drag them to the Trash. After removing the potentially unwanted application(s) that cause online ads, scan your Mac for any remaining unwanted components.
Remove adware-related files and folders
Click the Finder icon, from the menu bar. Choose Go, and click Go to Folder...
Check for adware generated files in the /Library/LaunchAgents/ folder:
In the Go to Folder... bar, type: /Library/LaunchAgents/
In the "LaunchAgents" folder, look for any recently-added suspicious files and move them to the Trash. Examples of files generated by adware - "installmac.AppRemoval.plist", "myppes.download.plist", "mykotlerino.ltvbit.plist", "kuklorest.update.plist", etc. Adware commonly installs several files with the exact same string.
Check for adware generated files in the ~/Library/Application Support/ folder:
In the Go to Folder... bar, type: ~/Library/Application Support/
In the "Application Support" folder, look for any recently-added suspicious folders. For example, "MplayerX" or "NicePlayer", and move these folders to the Trash.
Check for adware generated files in the ~/Library/LaunchAgents/ folder:
In the Go to Folder... bar, type: ~/Library/LaunchAgents/
In the "LaunchAgents" folder, look for any recently-added suspicious files and move them to the Trash. Examples of files generated by adware - "installmac.AppRemoval.plist", "myppes.download.plist", "mykotlerino.ltvbit.plist", "kuklorest.update.plist", etc. Adware commonly installs several files with the exact same string.
Check for adware generated files in the /Library/LaunchDaemons/ folder:
In the "Go to Folder..." bar, type: /Library/LaunchDaemons/
In the "LaunchDaemons" folder, look for recently-added suspicious files. For example "com.aoudad.net-preferences.plist", "com.myppes.net-preferences.plist", "com.kuklorest.net-preferences.plist", "com.avickUpd.plist", etc., and move them to the Trash.
Scan your Mac with Combo Cleaner:
If you have followed all the steps correctly, your Mac should be clean of infections. To ensure your system is not infected, run a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus. Download it HERE. After downloading the file, double click combocleaner.dmg installer. In the opened window, drag and drop the Combo Cleaner icon on top of the Applications icon. Now open your launchpad and click on the Combo Cleaner icon. Wait until Combo Cleaner updates its virus definition database and click the "Start Combo Scan" button.
Combo Cleaner will scan your Mac for malware infections. If the antivirus scan displays "no threats found" - this means that you can continue with the removal guide; otherwise, it's recommended to remove any found infections before continuing.
After removing files and folders generated by the adware, continue to remove rogue extensions from your Internet browsers.
Remove malicious extensions from Internet browsers
Remove malicious Safari extensions:
Open the Safari browser, from the menu bar, select "Safari" and click "Preferences...".
In the preferences window, select "Extensions" and look for any recently-installed suspicious extensions. When located, click the "Uninstall" button next to it/them. Note that you can safely uninstall all extensions from your Safari browser - none are crucial for regular browser operation.
- If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Safari.
Remove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:
Click the Chrome menu icon 
(at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "More Tools" and click "Extensions". Locate all recently-installed suspicious extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".
- If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Google Chrome.
Remove malicious extensions from Mozilla Firefox:
Click the Firefox menu 
(at the top right corner of the main window) and select "Add-ons and themes". Click "Extensions", in the opened window locate all recently-installed suspicious extensions, click on the three dots and then click "Remove".
- If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Mozilla Firefox.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What harm can adware cause?
Software of this type can diminish the web browsing experience, make a computer (and browser) work slower, and cause similar issues.
What does adware do?
The main purpose of advertising-supported software is to display advertisements. However, it can have additional features - it can hijack a web browser and collect information.
How do adware developers generate revenue?
They monetize adware by promoting various websites, products, services, and so on. A big part of the money comes from affiliate programs.
Will Combo Cleaner remove DiscoveryHandler adware?
Yes, Combo Cleaner will scan your computer and eliminate all adware-type applications installed. If removed manually, adware may have some of its components present and running even after the removal. Therefore, it is recommended to remove adware using specialized software.
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